A glowing, bronzed body is celebrated in Western culture as a mark of beauty and sex-appeal, but it isn't always good for your health. There are several tanning options available that can help you achieve a fast (and sometimes healthy) tan. Despite what some say, spending a couple hours in the sun is actually healthy for you, and helps your body produce Vitamin D. Self-tanning lotions or spray tans are the best option for those who are concerned about increasing their risk of skin cancer. While a tanning bed can make your skin glow in minutes, it uses harmful UV bulbs that are associated with a very high risk of skin cancer. Explore the various tanning options below and choose one that fits your quick-tan needs.

Steps

Method1

Choose a base lotion or oil with a low SPF. To get tan quickly, you'll need to apply a lotion or oil with a low SPF, but you still want to make sure you have some protection from the sun's powerful rays. Choose between rub-on lotions, aerosol sprays, and oil rubs and mists that all contain some SPF.

Ideally, choose an SPF between four and 15 depending on the strength of your base tan. If you are already somewhat tan, you can go with a lower SPF. If this is your first exposure of the summer season, choose SPF 15 to avoid getting sunburned.

For the most even tan possible, choose a spray or an oil. Because of their watery texture, these two options are the easiest to spread thoroughly over your skin. Make sure to rub in sprays with your hands after spraying.

Popular sun tanning lotions and oils are available from Hawaiian Tropics, Australian Gold, Banana Boat, and Maui Babe. Most can be found at your local drugstore or beauty supply store.

Wear a lip balm with at least SPF 15. You don't need your lips to be tan. Dry, chapped lips are not only unattractive but also painful.

2

Slather a natural oil on skin with a good base tan. If you want to skip the store-bought stuff and you already have a good base tan, there are natural oils that will attract the sun and give you that olive glow. Apply these natural tan-enhancers before going out into the sun and wash off with soap and water when finished tanning. Some natural products include:

Turn your body over frequently. Like a chicken roasting in a rotisserie, you need to turn your body over frequently to get an even tan. A good rule of thumb is to turn in 1/4 revolutions every half hour. Start on your back, then turn to your left side, then your stomach, and lastly your right side. Make sure to change the position of your arms and legs frequently to avoid awkward tan lines.

4

Position yourself in direct sunlight. As the sun moves across the sky, move your towel or lounge chair so that you can always be in direct sunlight. If you don't want to lay around all day, you can also do something active outside, just wear as little clothing as possible to allow the sun to hit your skin.

5

Lay out in the middle of the day between 10am and 4pm. Though dermatologists usually tell you to avoid the sun during peak hours, if you're trying to get tan quickly, hit the tanning grind when the sun is strongest.

6

Get naked. If you are trying to get tan all over, then there's really no other option than to put on your birthday suit and soak up the sun. Find a nude beach or a private (fenced) area of your backyard and let the sun work its magic!

7

Use a reflective sheet or towel to focus the sun. This technique is a blast from the past, but it will actually magnify and focus the sun on your skin. There are several reflective products on the market that can help attract the sun to your body. Lay-out on a reflective towel or purchase a reflective sun screen. Rest a sun screen at your waist and tilt it at about a 45-degree angle until the sunlight hits your body.

8

Lay on a floatation device in the water. Because water attracts and reflects sunlight, laying on or near a body of water will help you absorb as much sunlight as possible. Get some floaties, lay on a raft, or sit in an inner tube on the water to tan in the sun.

9

Reapply lotion and/or oil every two hours or after contact with water. Make sure that you are always covered with some sort of low SPF oil or lotion. Even water-resistant products should be reapplied just to be careful.

10

Apply an aloe-based moisturizer or a good lotion after tanning. Keep your skin hydrated and seal in your bronze after a tanning session by applying a moisturizing lotion.

Method2

Apply Sunless Tanning Lotion

1

Understand how self-tanners work. Self-tanning lotions contain the compound dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which is approved by the Food and Drug Administration to add pigment to the skin. It is a three-carbon sugar molecule that reacts with amino groups in skin proteins. When they react, the form what is called a Maillard reaction, which is similar in its operation to the process of browning bread and caramelizing sugar.[2]

2

Choose a product. Self-tanning products come in lotions, creams, gels, foams, sprays, and oils. Several companies such as Neutrogena, L'Oreal, Jergens, Aveeno, Bath & Body Works, Banana Boat, Clarins, and Lorac all make self-tanners that have gotten good ratings from beauty magazines and websites.[3]

As per the instructions, apply the lotion or spray evenly, taking care to get all skin covered.

Choose a noncomedogenic lotion to avoid clogging your pores.

3

Wear gloves. Since you'll be spreading the lotion all around your body with your hands, they will absorb much more of the lotion or oil than the rest of your body. Buy disposable medical gloves and wear them when applying self-tanner to avoid having hands darker than the rest of your body.

Throw the gloves away after use and use a new pair each time you apply.

Make sure to rub some lotion or oil into your hands after you finish applying it to the rest of your body. You want them to be the same color of the rest of your body, just not darker.

4

Spread it evenly. One of the biggest challenges posed by self-tanning lotion is the ability to spread it evenly around your body. You may need to ask a friend to get those hard to reach places like the middle of your back to avoid blotchy, discolored skin.

Move your hand in a circular motion when applying self-tanner to avoid a streaky appearance.

Take it slow. Don't rush to put on self-tanner, or odds are you will end up with blotchy areas or you'll miss areas altogether. Take the time to rub it in completely.

Don't forget those areas that are normally hidden from public view, including your armpits.

5

Apply everyday until you reach the desired skin color. Once in the morning should be enough to reach your desired color, but you may apply once in the morning and once at night to speed up the process. Be aware that self tanners can stain your clothing and bedding.

Method3

Get a Spray Tan

1

Understand how it works. Like self-tanning lotions, spray tans also contain the three-carbon sugar dihydroxyacetone (DHA), that reacts with amino acids to add color to the skin. Spray tan solutions are generally more concentrated, however, and require anywhere from one to three layers to reach the desired level of tan.

2

Choose a product. Experts advise choosing a spray tan product with a lower percentage of DHA so that you can gradually add color. You can always make yourself darker, but once you spray it on, there's no going back.

Additionally, seek out products infused with erythrulose, a sugar compound present in raspberries. This compound will allow your tan to last longer and produces a healthy glow.

If possible, choose products that contain a small amount of green pigment. The green pigment is present in order to balance out any orange that occurs from the spray tan.[4]

3

Determine the number of layers you need. For people with very fair skin, one layer of spray tan will be sufficient for creating a beautiful glow. For people with tan or dark skin, you may need several layers. Just start slow and gradually add more pigment until you reach the desired color. The most important thing to remember with spray tans is not to overdo it. Fake-looking, orange skin is not attractive.

4

Exfoliate your skin before getting sprayed. Make sure to get rid of all of the dead and rough skin on the outer layer of your body before getting sprayed. Choose an exfoliating scrub that is oil-free and contains some sort of rough beads or granules that will polish your skin. Use a loofah or a washcloth in the shower to scrub your body.[5]

5

Visit a spray tan salon or hire a professional to your home. Unlike self-tanning lotions, you really need a professional to perform a spray tan on your body. You can either visit a tanning salon with a spray machine or hire a private professional to come to your home and spray you in your shower. The first option will be much cheaper, however.

6

Touch up your tan every one to two weeks. Depending on the strength of the tan and your original skin tone, a spray tan can last anywhere between five and 10 days. Moisturize with lotion every day to make your tan last longer. To keep a golden glow, touch up your tan as it begins to fade.[6]

Method4

Understand how it works. Tanning beds use ultraviolet (UV) light bulbs emitting UV radiation similar to that of the sun.[7] However, these beds are known to heighten your chances of getting skin cancer. Therefore, dermatologists highly advise against using them. But, if you need to get an immediate tan, this is the quickest, most effective method out there.

2

Wear goggles. It is extremely important that you wear goggles specially formulated for tanning beds while tanning. You can buy or rent these at the tanning salon.

3

Avoid tyrosine-based tanning accelerators. Tyrosine is an amino acid that your body uses to produce melanin, a chemical that makes your skin darker. However, the FDA does not approve tyrosine and there is no concrete evidence that it actually works.

4

Choose an amount of time. If this is your first time tanning, you should start with a relatively small amount of time around eight minutes. People generally tan in beds for between eight and 20 minutes, though the median rests around 12 minutes. If you have very fair skin, go for a shorter period of time than if you have darker skin and/or a good base tan.

Undress completely and get in the tanning bed. Shut the top flap over you like a clam shell. Find the button to flip on the tanning lights.

The lights are programmed with a timer and will shut off automatically when your time is up. Be sure to get into the bed right away when the timer begins.

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Getting an even tan is difficult sometimes, especially when it comes to your legs, mainly because the skin on your legs is thicker than the skin on your arms and chest. Legs are naturally low in moisture and become dryer with normal activities. Keep your legs constantly moisturised during and after tanning, so that they are never flaky and dry. This should make a massive difference in deepening your leg tan and maintaining it. Try to keep lotion on your legs or use a tan accelerator such as carrot sun which uses a natural bronzer and also works as a moisturizer.

Will I get tan if I lay out & spray myself with water every ten minutes?

wikiHow Contributor

If you warm up the water and add a large amount of sea salt, then spray the solution on your skin, you might notice a faster tan. Salt dries your skin, so apply sunscreen and lotion throughout the day.

Is it okay to tan every day in the sun, or should I wait 1 to 2 days before tanning again?

wikiHow Contributor

You should wait at least 3 days before tanning again. This will give your skin a rest and allow your body to disperse the UV radiation. Going outside for 30 minutes or so to tan is okay, but for prolonged sessions, such as 1 to 3 hours, it is better to wait.

What if i just lay out in direct sunlight? Will that give me a quick tan?

wikiHow Contributor

It depends on your skin and how long you lay out in it. You may have to use some type of accelerator, but if you do not have one, a regular moisturizer will help. Keep your skin moisturized, and avoid getting sunburn. Don't expect results extremely fast. It still takes time.

Tips

Don't tan too much to avoid sunburns. Take everything in moderation. Sun burns and peeling is not attractive.

Always use a glove for self tanning lotions unless you want orange/brown palms.

After a day of tanning or being outside in the sun, make sure to check your skin for any sunburn. If you do spot any, simply apply aloe to calm down the redness and irritation.

When in a tanning bed remember to wear goggles.

Protect your skin and eyes. Wear a hat and sunglasses when tanning outside to protect the sensitive skin on your face.

A good self tanning lotion gives the same desired tan with out the risks of skin damage.

While getting a spray tan make sure to protect your eyes by wearing goggles.

Always be aware of the dangers of tanning. There are risks associated with all tanning methods (skin cancer, chemical reactions, etc.) Avoid prolonged exposure to tanning beds.

For sensitive skin, use higher SPFs such as: 20-30. It may take longer but it protects your skin.

Be aware of the risks of using tanning beds as consistent use may increase the risk of skin cancer within the long term.

If your family has a history of skin cancer ask your doctor about risks and suggestions.

Check the UV ratings so know when the sun is strongest.

If you are pale, always be sure to put on SPF 15 sunscreen to avoid sunburn.

After each tanning session, examine your skin. If you are fair skinned, start off by laying out in the sun for small periods of time. When your tan gets stronger, you can increase the duration of your tanning sessions.